Allow Missions to select qualified heads

Government has been urged to allow Bishops and other Heads of Missions to choose qualified practicing members of the faith to head their schools in the country to ensure efficient and effective management of these institutions.

The Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI), made the appeal at the end of its 38^th Annual National Conference at the Pope John’s Minor Seminary and Senior High School at Koforidua last month.

In a seven-point communique, the Association encouraged heads of Schools to intensify the teaching and learning of Religious and Moral Education in their schools, which as a prerequisite in ensuring the holistic formation of the students.

The Communique also called on Catholic heads of schools to acquaint themselves more on Government’s educational policies, as well as the objective of Catholic education in the country. This is envisaged to equip them with adequate knowledge needed to lead the young people entrusted to their care.

Similarly, the heads advocated for the clear definition of the General and Regional Managers of Unit Schools roles and their offices, calling for the offices to be well-resourced to enable the officers function effectively.

The Communique signed by Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kwame Apetorgbor, President of ACHHI and Rector of St. Cyprian Minor Seminary SHS, Sawla, reechoed the need for all stakeholders to actively play their roles towards a more effective management and administration of the schools.

Members at the Conference, themed: Effective Management and Administration of Catholic Schools: The Role of Stakeholders, were optimistic that the partnership between the State and the Missions which the Government has always supported, would be strengthened for the benefit of students, parents and the country as a whole.

“Since Catholic spirituality makes preferential option for the poor, we welcome the Free Senior High School Policy.” While encouraging dialogue and constructive criticism to get the best out of the policy, they expressed hope that the programme would be of “utmost benefit to the poor and needy in society”.

Expedite action on Education Partnership

Dignitaries with delegates 

Government has been advised to commit more resources to the running of schools in the country and expedite action on the partnership Agreement in education between the Church and the State.

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, who expressed disquiet about delays in implementing the partnership agreement, asked the Government to stop paying lips service to the partnership and implement the agreement to ensure the delivery of quality education.

The Bishop, made these remarks at the just ended 38^th Annual Conference of the Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI) held at the Pope John’s Senior High School and Minor Seminary, Koforidua.

The Local Ordinary who chaired the opening, commended members of ACHHI for their tireless efforts in training students, and called on stakeholders to work together to rid politics of education.

Mr. Eric Kwakye Darfour, Eastern Regional Minister, who drew a direct link with education and progress in every human endeavours, commended the Catholic Church for her role in the provision and sustaining the high standards in education.

He appealed to the Church to working together with the state to ensure mutual cooperation in meeting the needs and aspirations of the state and Church in their investment in education.

Very Rev. Fr. John Kobina Louis, of the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT), Accra, in an address on the theme: Effective Management and Administration of Catholic Schools: The Roles of the Stakeholders, urged all parties to work together to ensure attainment of Church’s goals in education. 

He noted that although several governments have praised the Catholic Church for her contribution towards education in Ghana, most of their policies does not promote the achievement of the Church’s educational goals.

Fr. Louis expressed hope that the Government will make good their promise to handover the management of mission schools to their respective owners, with financial support for the running of the schools.

In his address, Very Rev. Nicholas Kwame Apetorgbor, National President of ACHHI, said the Church’s venture in education was for the integral development of the human person, which the Church was committed to.

He entreated administrators of Catholic Schools to be proactive in injecting Catholic values of discipline, respect for all and hard work in the students they were training.

He called on stakeholders to be proactive in taking over the administration of mission school in the interest of the nation and the young people, who he said were yearning for quality holistic education that prepares them for the world.

Fr. Apetorgbor who also heads the St. Cyprian Senior High School at Sawla in the Damongo Diocese, urged the administrator of Catholic Schools to encourage their students to critically think about innovative ways of tackling social issues in the country.

“The educational environment and processes in our schools should be fine-tuned to appreciate and reflect more on self-discipline, personal conduct and social responsibility, as well as promote spiritual, social and moral values,” he added.

As part of the week-long Conference, the Heads had a retreat at Nkurakan, and deliberated on pertinent issues concerning the entrenchment of Catholic values in their respective schools, as well as the development and progress of ACHHI.